North East Derbyshire District Council starts move to new base

Michael Broomhead

Staff at a council which has been located in the heart of Chesterfield for more than 30 years have started their move to new offices.

North East Derbyshire District Council is relocating from its prominent Saltergate base to new state-of-the-art headquarters on Mill Lane in Wingerworth.

The authority bought the former Coal Products Limited building in November 2013.

It is still seeking a buyer for the Saltergate premises.

Staff started moving this weekend and the relocation will take place over several more weekends.

Wes Lumley, chief executive of the council, said: “We need to make sure there is minimal disruption to both our residents and our services while we move.

“That’s why we have taken the decision to move over a number of weekends, meaning we can iron out any teething problems as we go along.

“This is a big change for everyone – residents and staff included.

“Saltergate has been our home for more than 30 years.

“But relocating to Wingerworth means our headquarters will be located within our district, we will have office accommodation that is fit-for-purpose and cost-effective and we will have a building that is flexible in terms of providing us with extra income through renting out office space to other organisations,” he added.

The Mill Lane office – which has undergone a full refurbishment – will house a new customer service centre.

However, the council will keep a reception presence and payment facility at Saltergate.

A district council spokesman said: “The Saltergate building is currently up for sale so hopefully we can attract a buyer for it pretty quickly.”

Speaking when the move was announced last summer, Graham Baxter MBE, leader of the council, said: “This is a big move for us.

“It has many advantages – it is a much more modern office, it is within our own district and is located next door to Pioneer House, home to our strategic partner, Rykneld Homes.”

North East Derbyshire district is home to almost 100,000 people, latest Cencus figures show.

The council’s services cover a number of areas, including Clay Cross, Dronfield, Eckington, Killamarsh, North Wingfield and Wingerworth.

For more details on the move – including when each department will be relocating – visit www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk